ONE POT STUFFED PEPPER CASSEROLE

One-pot stuffed pepper casserole is a simplified and convenient way to enjoy the flavors of traditional stuffed peppers without the fuss of stuffing individual peppers. Here’s a recipe for making this delicious and easy one-pot dish:

Ingredients:

• 1 pound ground beef (or ground turkey, if you prefer)
• 1 cup white rice, uncooked
• 1 onion, finely chopped
• 1 green bell pepper, chopped
• 1 red bell pepper, chopped
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 can (14.5 ounces) diced tomatoes
• 1 can (8 ounces) tomato sauce
• 1 cup beef or vegetable broth
• 1 teaspoon dried oregano
• 1 teaspoon dried basil
• 1/2 teaspoon salt, or to taste
• 1/4 teaspoon black pepper, or to taste
• 1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese
• Chopped fresh parsley, for garnish (optional)

Instructions:

1. In a large, oven-safe skillet or Dutch oven, brown the ground beef over medium-high heat until no longer pink. Break it apart with a spatula as it cooks. Drain any excess fat if necessary.
2. Add the chopped onions and garlic to the skillet with the ground beef. Sauté for a few minutes until the onions become translucent.
3. Stir in the chopped green and red bell peppers and cook for another 2-3 minutes until they begin to soften.
4. Add the uncooked white rice to the skillet and cook for 1-2 minutes, stirring constantly, to lightly toast the rice.
5. Pour in the diced tomatoes, tomato sauce, beef or vegetable broth, dried oregano, dried basil, salt, and black pepper. Stir everything together.
6. Bring the mixture to a simmer, then reduce the heat to low. Cover the skillet or Dutch oven and let it simmer for about 20-25 minutes, or until the rice is tender and has absorbed most of the liquid. Stir occasionally to prevent sticking.
7. Preheat your oven’s broiler.
8. Once the rice is cooked and the mixture has thickened, remove the skillet from heat. Sprinkle the shredded mozzarella cheese evenly over the top of the mixture.
9. Place the skillet under the broiler for 2-3 minutes, or until the cheese is bubbly and lightly browned.
10. Remove from the oven, garnish with chopped fresh parsley if desired, and serve your one-pot stuffed pepper casserole hot.

This one-pot stuffed pepper casserole is a satisfying and family-friendly meal that captures the flavors of classic stuffed peppers in an easy-to-make format. Enjoy!